say i do to bbq.

new girl in town.

As you may already know, last week marked the 2 year birthday of the Mrs. Why Knot blog! I can’t thank YOU enough for making this site a go-to on your list of tying the knot must haves. One of my favorite things is when I see someone who tells me that they found a fab idea or super helpful suggestion on the blog or loved a vendor they saw in a spotlight for a feature friday! As the Mrs. Why Knot Brand grows even more, I look forward to continuing to share my inspirations, creativity, dreams and hot-off-the-press-products with you!

What’s a blog birthday without a celebration?! To mark the 2nd birthday of the blog and also to celebrate the baby girl that I have on the way – a new addition to the Mrs. Why Knot Bracelet Collection has been born…

Take a peek at the new girl in town… “PRETTY IN PINK!”

Cause every girl needs a bit of PINK in her life…get your ‘Pretty in Pink’ bracelet and/or anklet today at the Mrs. Why Knot Shop and also available on the Etsy Boutique (and of course, free shipping!!)

Stay updated all of the time: Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. Etsy.  Email.

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Mrs. Why Knot Bracelet Shop

Mrs. Why Knot Custom Date Art Shop

springin’ cards.

So your Spring wedding is just around the bend. As you tick off each and every detail from your to-do list in record time, you find yourself scrambling for a creative way to doll-up your seating card table. Here are some fabulous and out-of-the-box ideas! Take a look and check off that final to-do before you say I do!

FLORAL FUN

ROCKS OF LOVE

PAPER PETALS

FAN FAVORITE

POPS OF COLOR

FRESH PICKED

Have a fun way to display your seating cards? Share below or on the Mrs. Why Knot facebook page! Be sure to check out Pinterest for more pin-spiration for your big day…why knot?!

Stay updated all of the time: Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. Etsy.  Email.

Shop 24/7…why knot?!

Mrs. Why Knot Bracelet Shop

Mrs. Why Knot Custom Date Art Shop

eat clean (+bonus recipe!)

Finally!! Spring time….the sun is out, the birds are chirping and the tank tops are out of the closet. It’s time to step up our diet and exercise routine a notch. And what better way to stay committed and motivated than the always-so-fun-bathing-suit-shopping. Diet is KEY with maintaining health, wellness and weight. You could be working out every second of the day, but without a balanced diet, you are sabotaging your own progress. It’s all about clean eating.

What exactly is clean eating? Clean eating is the idea of eating more fresh and whole foods, opposed to pre-packaged and processed foods. Hello lean protein and vegetables, goodbye fast food. Leaning more towards complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, over white flour. It’s also being committed to replacing saturated fats with healthy fats. Note that people who follow the clean eating lifestyle avoid dairy. It’s not about counting calories, but believing in good quality.

Yes I understand, Spring is filled with outdoor parties with fruity drinks and tasty treats. Don’t worry about temptation, when you can enjoy your own tasty recipes! Check out this one below for guilt free pancakes!

Guilt Free Pancakes
1/2 cup Organic Oats
1/4 cup Almond Milk
1 Large Egg White
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp of Baking Powder
1/4 Cup Blueberries
In a medium bowl, mix oats with milk. let stand for 5 minutes. Add egg and oil and mix. Continue to add baking powder and blueberries. Pour onto nonstick skillet until golden brown. Flip and cook until desired. Makes 8 pancakes.

Stay tuned for more fit tips from our expert and guest blogger, Angela Claire Fitness!

it’s…a…_____!

be our guest…or not.

Between the list in your iPhone, scribble on your desk calendar, post-it notes with names, emailed list from in-laws and the late night dreams of just how many people you’re actually ‘forgetting’ – the initial draft guest list can seem overwhelming…or down right scary! Lucky for you, I came across this chart while having my morning affair with Pinterest and I couldn’t help but share it. It is a quick and painless guide to who you really NEED to have make the final cut. Keep in mind – it is your day so if your neighbor, longtime friend or even dog groomer thinks they have a say in who ‘should’ be there, gently remind them that it isn’t up to them to ‘say yes’ to your guests! (graphic from simply bridal)

fit @ home.

March is almost done! And can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday we were trying to figure out New Years Eve plans and rushing around to find the tightest dress! Most importantly, we were writing down a list of New Years Resolutions. Let me be the first to remind you of the goals you set two months ago and check in to see how your progress is going!

Spring is around the corner! And yes we still have a few more cold fronts to dodge.  However don’t let the weather set you back from reaching your goals. Yes the weather is gross and all we feel like doing is wearing sweats, vegging out, and watching re runs of Real Housewives. But there are no excuses! Especially when we have goals set. Don’t feel like making the trip to the gym? No fear! Here are some exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home. No equipment needed!

1) Standing Side Crunch – Stand with feet shoulder width apart, and make a fist with your right hand overhead, extend left arm at side. Shift weight to left leg and raise right knee out to side as you bend right elbow, crunching it toward inside of right thigh. And repeat. Do 20 reps and switch sides for 4 sets each.

2) Glute Lift- Position yourself on all fours and pulls abs in so your back is flat. Raise right knee to hip height behind you, foot flexed, and lower to start position. Do 20 reps. Switch legs and repeat for 4 sets each.

3) Full Extension – Lie face up with knees bent over hips and extend arms overhead. Crunch up as you reach for your hands toward feet. Extend legs a few inches off the ground in front of you as you extend arms overhead. Crunch up as you bend knees, placing weight back on ankles to return to starting position. Do 20 reps for 4 sets.

4) Stationary Lunge – Stand with your legs staggered, your right foot about two feet in front of your left. Bend your knees to lower your body until your right thigh is parallel and your shin is perpendicular to the floor. Straighten your legs to return to start. Do 10 reps, then switch sides and repeat 4 times.

5) Incline Push up- Get into a pushup position with your hands more than shoulder width apart on your couch or low table. Lower your body until your chest nearly touches the surface. Pause at the bottom and then push yourself back to start. Do as many reps as possible until you can not maintain form or have to stop.

6) Tricep Dips – Sit on the edge of your couch or a chair with your knees bent and your feet on the floor in front of you. Place your palms face down next to your thighs and keeping your arms straight, shift forward until your hips and butt are in front of the seat. Bend your elbows to lower your hips until your upper arms are parallel to the floor. Push back to start. That is one rep. Do as many reps as possible until you can’t maintain form.

Stay tuned for more fit tips from our expert and guest blogger, Angela Claire Fitness!

spring has sprung.

Snowy sidewalks and chilly temps sure make it hard to believe that Spring has arrived! Nonetheless, it’s almost time to stash away those wintry coats and break out some spring-ful outfits (and a punch of color never hurt either!) Leave it to the Pinterest addicts to pin some fun and fashionable spring outfits sure to be ready for the sunshine (and all those vendor appointments you have to attend just before your big day!)

COMFY CASUAL: for just about any day of the week! dress it up or dress it down

 GIMME SOME SUGAR: pops of color spruce up even just a plain long-sleeve tee

FLIRTY FUN: for those billions of showers you have to go to! this flirty look is good day and night

Got a spring wardrobe piece you just can’t live without? Mine would have to be my spring-y scarves! I love accessorizing with them and they also come in handy during the breezy days too! So rest assure those of you who are just plain sick of winter, brighter skies, warmer temps and sun-shining days are just around the corner! Clean out those closets and make room for some fabulous pieces…why knot?!

‘cheap’ date.

Going on a date doesn’t need to break the bank. There are plenty of things to do in each of your neighborhoods that cost little or nothing and can turn a boring ‘what to you want to do’ day into something much more exciting (and doesn’t include racking up another huge expense!)

Local Concert (many are nearly free!) – Amateur Comedy Club – Sight-See in your Nearest City – Volunteer – Attend an Art Gallery – Minor League Baseball Game – Go for Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt – Go to a Neighborhood Fair – Trivia Night at your Local Bar – Try a New Ethnic Restaurant – Go for a Hike – Make a Picnic – Board Game Night at Your Place – Go for a Walk in a Nearby Neighborhood – Visit your Local Park – Make Breakfast for Dinner – Paint Together – Purchase Discounted Tickets for Broadway Shows in NYC at the TKTS Booth on Broadway (some may be up to 50% off or more!) – Blast the Music and have a Dance Off – Visit a Local Farmer’s Market – Check out your County’s Website for Upcoming Free Events – Visit your Local Library and Rent a Movie (for as little as a dollar!) – Play Wii or Playstation – Make Your Own Pizza Night – Visit your Local Pool – Check out a Second Hand Store – Ice Skating – Go See a Local Game/Sport – Grab a Camera and Take Some Pics on Your Day-cation – Go Rock Climbing at an Indoor Center – Go for a Walk with your Pets – Fondue! – Feed Ducks or Birds at a Local Lake – Drive Around and Attend an Open House (costs nothing and you get some great renovation ideas) – Try Out a Dance Class (many first times are free!) – Go Bike Riding – Go-Kart Racing – Clean! (I mean this is a last resort, but so much better when two people are working together!)

Here are just a few to get your list started. Feeling adventurous? Keep your eyes peeled for a ‘cheap’ date night giveaway this week! It will be posted to our facebook page. You won’t want to miss it! Two pairs of gift certificates for a super-fun date place will be given away to two lucky couples (in the Westchester area or those willing to travel.) Stay tuned! Why knot?!

As always remember – it’s not what you are doing but who you are doing it with that makes all the difference. That, ladies, is priceless.

mrs. why knot – a mama to be!

This is by far, my most exciting announcement to make on the blog – my Mr. and I are expecting a baby this summer! We are through the moon happy and cannot wait to meet our miracle and begin our family. It is such an unbelievable feeling to know that in just a matter of months, we will have our hearts filled with the love of our precious little one!

Heard it here first! (5) secrets of Mrs. Why Knot as a mama to be:

-It’s…A…____! You may think it’s more ‘fun’ to be surprised but my Mr. & I are finding out what we’re having! Boy/girl no real preference but we can’t wait for the anatomy scan (T-one month or so)!

-Tummy troubles? Thankfully, I haven’t had morning sickness just some bouts of nausea (I love you, Tums!)

-Sleepless in NY. Many of my friends say sleeping while pregnant was the best sleep they ever had. I spend more hours tossing and turning that before I know it, my alarm is going off (again!) Hey, maybe it’s just prepping me for being a mom!

-Savin a Cravin’! No real cravings for me as of now and sometimes I find that as soon a I start eating I get so full so fast. I will say, if I do choose to indulge in something, it has been sweet over salty as of now!

-Love notes! Stemming from my passion for writing, I already started a journal for my little one to be. I log info from my appointments, feelings I am having, little notes or cards I have gotten and the scoop on how we told our friends/family (and now my blog readers too!)

Continue to check out my blog for some updated posts on me as a mama to be! And rest assure -  the original idea of Mrs. Why Knot as wedding blog isn’t going anywhere! It is here to stay. Promise!